[Murong67]

Are there any places that are affordable? Must have good schools and decent neighborhoods? Where does one shop for groceries, etc? Could be relocating here for a new job. What about property taxes? Family of 4 - used to really good schools, close to grocery store, music classes and ballet for kids 7 and 4.

i've heard good things about West Hartford, Simsbury, South Windsor, Glastonbury, Avon. The job's in East Hartford and not interested in a long commute.

Thanks for any advice.

[Murong67]

we're coming from the midwest where one can buy a really good house 1800 sq ft and 2 car garage for $200K easily.

[Uconn97]

Well, you won't find all that for $200K that easily. What is your price range for a home?

[adamz]

Mansfield (home of UConn) has decent schools, average house prices of ~250 K with property taxes of ~4K, and about 20-25 minutes to East Hartford.

[Murong67]

If we get a substantial pay increase - (is it feasible to make $180,000 in the engineering field there?) we might be able to get a house in the $350K to $400K range. It's just the increase in housing costs and property taxes, etc.

[Uconn97]

Thats seems high, but I guess you could be lucky....

If you can get in at 350-400K I would look in glastonbury, maybe south windsor. Those would be your best commutes, both good communities with good schools with access to stores, restaurants, etc.

[Murong67]

In reality do you know what they may pay in range at the UTRC - engineer wise? Just curious. If you don't know that's ok - just curious. It's probably more the executives that get that and have been there for 15 yrs plus. Looks like a beautiful state!

I've been looking at those 2 places. I have been doing my own research but found when we first moved to the southeastern part of Indiana that it is good to get the local people's point of view. Thanks for any input. I have been afraid it may be too high to think that. Love the fact that the schools have such small populations - coming from a very good elementary that has 800 students. LOL Thanks for all your help, advice and comments!

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by Murong67

we're coming from the midwest where one can buy a really good house 1800 sq ft and 2 car garage for $200K easily.

In Glastonbury, a home like this would be in the mid-$300 with taxes around $7,500. The town is upscale and has a lot of UTC employees (particularly engineers). The schools are excellent and there is a lot to offer families. That said, it is also one of the more expensive towns around.

Other than Glastonbury, I would recommend South Windsor, Bolton, Wethersfield and Rocky Hill. They would offer more for your money and would be convenient to East Hartford. Jay

[Murong67]

Thanks! I guess I have been gathering correct information then. Wow! $7500 in property taxes - I had a feeling it was that way. I saw a 1995 house that had 1600-1700 sq feet and had $6000 in taxes. Used to $2500 here. lol The funny thing - the city we live in now is about 35,000 to 40,000. Good info to learn.

[JViello]

I'm sure there are some engineering positions that pay that well, but it's in a very specialized area.

If you are working in E Hartford, I would try and stay East of the River for the easiest commute and affordability. Rocky Hill would be a good exception to that as it's West OTR.

South Windsor is a good "suburbanish" town. If you want a little more rural (and I don't mean Midwest rural as in 5 minutes out here you are in pretty countryside more along the lines of the English Countryside. ) and bang for your buck, check out Bolton or Hebron...both accessable from I384 which makes the commute a breeze. You can certainly find an 1800sf home on some acreage for less than 300K in Bolton and Hebron.